Peach tree named ‘PBRO16168’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white peach tree denominated ‘PBRO16168’ is resistant to main pests and diseases, and has a low chill requirement, fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around the cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of red to purple red blush on skin surface, on a luminous red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘PBRO16168’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2017/3049 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 (Nov. 23, 2017) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘PBRO16168’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white flesh fruits with a red pigmentation around the stone cavity, for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘PBRO16168’ white peach tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘PBRO16168’ from an open pollination of the white peach tree variety named ‘SWEETSTAR’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No 21,145), which was used as the seed parent. Thus, the pollen parent remains unknown.

The ‘PBRO16168’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘PBRO16168’ white peach tree blooms generally during March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, the beginning of the blooming period occurs generally between March 10^(th) and March 24^(th). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘PBRO16168’ ripens generally end of July or during the first two weeks of August. More particularly, the beginning of the ripening period occurs between July 24^(th) and August 14^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependent on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows a typical specimen of a tree of the new variety ‘PBRO16168’ in orchard, with branches bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a close view of a branch of the new variety ‘PBRO16168’ in orchard bearing fruits at ripening time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides of leaves and three typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half with the stone being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, the stone and the stone cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing one whole fruit at ripening time and one fruit having been cut in a half, with the stone in its cavity.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing different views of the stone of the new variety and the kernel of the stone.

The enclosed photographs show plants in their third growing season for trees and flowers and plants in their second growing season for leaves, fruits and stone. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘PBRO16168’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins approximately in the middle or at the end of March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are colored in pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is white generally with a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around the stone cavity, in a radiating shape. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a luminous and homogenous red to purple red blush on a luminous red background. The stone is semi clingstone and his size is medium for the variety. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘SWEETSTAR’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,145), which is the seed parent of the new variety, the fruits of ‘PBRO16168’ variety ripen usually earlier from 5 days to 3 weeks according to years. Moreover, the new variety ‘PBRO16168’ is less sensitive, almost resistant, to disease such as powdery mildew. The two varieties ‘PBRO16168’ and ‘SWEETSTAR’ are similar in terms of size, fruit shape and fruit skin color.

Compared to ‘MAPERLA coy ASF0363’ white peach tree (not patented), the fruits of the new variety ‘PBRO16168’ ripen later. More particularly, the fruits of the variety ‘PBRO16168’ ripen 20 days later than the fruits of ‘MAPERLA cov ASF0363’. The fruits of ‘MAPERLA coy ASF0363’ have an equilibrate flavor, i.e. mode acid, than the fruit taste of the new variety ‘PBRO16168’, which is considered to be semi-sweet, sugary and aromatic. The fruits produced by the new variety ‘PBRO16168’ are larger than the fruits of the similar variety ‘MAPERLA coy ASF0363’.

Compared to ‘SWEETALY cov ASF1151’ white peach tree (not patented), which produced fruits that become mature in the middle of June, the fruits of the variety new variety ‘PBRO16168’ ripen later, typically in the middle of August or at the end of August. The fruits produced by the new variety ‘PBRO16168’ are larger than the fruits of the similar variety ‘SWEETALY coy ASF1151’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white peach tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) for trees, trunk and flowers, excepted on trees in their second growing season (first year of production) for leaves, fruits and stones. The characteristics were observed under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. (Royal Horticultural Society) Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm including current season             shoots length. The tree size is consistently reducing to 250             cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered medium.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit             set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning should be reduced or very reduced because of             the capacity of the tree to produce homogeneous fruits with             a high potential.         -   Form.—The ‘PBRO16168’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,             Pyrénées-Orienteles department, with winter chilling             requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 350 hours and             1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,             namely 1076 hours in 2012-2013, 767 hours in 2013-2014, 552             hours in 2014-2015, 721 hours in 2015-2016, and 784 hours in             2016-2017 showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases.             No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as             −12 degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very             resistant to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 66.0 to 78.0 millimeters in diameter             when measured at approximately 20 centimeters above the soil             level during the 3^(rd) growing season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range             in size from approximately 2.0 to 2.5 millimeters in width,             and about 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a light orange color (RHS             Greyed Orange 165 B to RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a brown color (RHS Greyed             Orange 165 A) slightly darker than the lenticel color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter of about 4.0 to 6.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of about             8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth for current season shoots and rough,             with lenticels, for mature branches. Wood which is several             years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally of 60 degrees from the             horizontal axis for current season shoots and for mature             branches. This particular characteristic is not considered             distinctive of the variety, however.         -   Current season shoots.—         -   Internode length.—Generally between 19.0 and 25.0             millimeters.         -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered light green             (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips,             whereas the upper part is darker and colored in purple (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A), depending on the level on the tip.         -   Mature branches.—         -   Internode length.—Generally between 36.0 and 42.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).         -   Lenticels.—Numerous small lenticels are present on mature             branches. The number of lenticels reaches 5 lenticels per             cm². The lenticels range in size approximately 0.5 to 1.0             millimeter in width, and about 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters in             height.         -   Lenticel shape.—Round stretched.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a beige color (RHS Greyed             Orange 164 C to RHS Greyed Orange 164 D). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 185.0 millimeters with leaf             petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 40.5 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Acute.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acute.         -   Leaf color.—         -   Upper leaf surface.—Darker green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to             RHS Yellow Green 146 B) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Both surfaces of the leaves are smooth and             glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Mid-vein.—         -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (RHS Yellow Green 145             C to RHS Yellow Green 145 D). The color may evolve with             maturity.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.7 millimeters.         -   Lateral veins.—         -   Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 C to RHS Yellow Green 145 D).         -   Leaf margins.—         -   Form.—Considered crenate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Shape.—Ribbed.         -   Length.—About 13.0 to about 15.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.7 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—         -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS             Yellow Green 144 B).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS             Yellow Green 145 B).         -   Leaf glands.—         -   Size.—Considered small. Their size is about 1.5 millimeters             in length and 1.0 millimeters in width.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf, sometimes 3 glands.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf             glands color turns to a dark brown (RHS Brown 200 A).         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Position.—The leaf glands are on alternate position on the             upper part of the petiole.         -   Leaf stipules.—         -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—         -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic shaped. Their form is evolving until             blooming, with variables dimensions. Just before blooming,             floral buds are approximately 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters wide             and approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters long. The             distribution of the flower buds is considered homogenous on             the trees.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the             bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle,             is of purple brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A) on its             outer face. The inner surface of the calyx is considered             orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 22 A). The corolla, formed             by the petals, is generally of light pink color (RHS Red             Purple 62 A to RHS Red Purple 62 B). Petals color shows an             evolution until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins during             March. The first bloom was observed on 2015.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus, the full bloom was             observed from Mar. 11 to Mar. 20, 2014, from Mar. 24 until             Mar. 31, 2015, from Mar. 24 until Mar. 31, 2016, and then             from Mar. 10 until Mar. 17, 2017.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. This characteristic             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower (rosette).         -   Flower size.—Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom             is approximately 43.0 to 46.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between             35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a             high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—         -   Generally.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Generally 22.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Both surfaces of the petals are smooth,             glabrous and soft.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             pink (RHS Red Purple 69 A) color when young, becoming             slightly darker until the end of blooming.         -   Petal arrangement.—Overlapping.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet to moderate.         -   Petal claw.—         -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a triangular form,             narrower at the base.         -   Length.—Between 2.0 and 2.5 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 A) similar to the             petal color.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered moderately wavy,             sinuate.         -   Petal apex.—         -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide-dome shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—         -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.0 to 1.5             millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to RHS Yellow Green 144             C).         -   Calyx.—         -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,             the inner surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle, is             matt and considered yellow orange (RHS Yellow Orange 20 A).             The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown             color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).         -   Sepals.—         -   Sepal count.—Usually five.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Form.—Conic with a round tip.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the upper surface of the             sepals is considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed             Purple 187 A). The inner surface of the sepals is considered             greenish (RHS Yellow Green 148 A to RHS Yellow Green 148 B).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 36 to 40             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Color.—Anthers are colored with red color (RHS Orange Red             Group N34 A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS Yellow 13 A) which may evolve with maturity. The             present variety is considered auto-fertile             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—         -   Size.—Medium length, between 15.0 and 19.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally higher than the             pistil's length, or equal to the pistil's length (considered             without the ovary).         -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White 155 D) and becoming pink             (RHS Red Purple 63 C to RHS Red Purple 63 D) during the             blooming.         -   Pistil.—         -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 19.0 to 20.0 millimeters including the             ovary.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C             to RHS Yellow Green 145 D).         -   Stigma.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter in diameter, with a             greenish yellow color (RHS Yellow Green 154 A to RHS Yellow             Green 154 B).         -   Ovary.—Approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters in height. The             diameter of the ovary is about 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. The             color is considered light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C).         -   Pubescence.—Present. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm in ripe conditions (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 9, 2015.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘PBRO16168’             variety has a medium to late date of picking, and a grouped             maturity. The maturity is grouped within 7 to 10 days and             the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known             picking times carry on from Aug. 9 to Aug. 15, 2015, then             from Aug. 14 to Aug. 23, 2016 and then from Jul. 24 to Jul.             30, 2017.         -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size 2A. Considered large.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 72.0 to 74.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 63.0 to 68.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 210.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—         -   Generally.—Round and regular. The fruit is generally, viewed             from the suture's plane.         -   Suture.—         -   Fruit suture.—Not prominent. No apparent callousing or             stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole             fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A             or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).         -   Mucron.—Absent.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, small and generally slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 10.0             to 12.0 millimeters. Average width is about 15.0 to 18.0             millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—         -   Thickness.—Considered medium thick and strong, and the             adherence of skin to flesh is strong.         -   Pubescence.—Fine, almost non-existent.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.         -   Lenticels.—No lenticels.         -   Color.—         -   Blush color.—This blush color is an homogenous red to purple             red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).             The purple red blush covers approximately 80 to 85% of the             fruit skin surface on a luminous red background (RHS Greyed             Red 179 A) on approximately 15 to 20% of the fruit skin             surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 15 to             20% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered a luminous             red (RHS Greyed Red 179 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 9.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Flesh.—         -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Dense, firm to vey firm, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic, with a high             level of sugars but semi-sweet due to acidity level between             6 and 9 meq/100 mL.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally equal             to 14.1.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally 14.1 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White 155 A) usually with a             red pigmentation (RHS Red 45 A) into the stone cavity and             around the stone cavity, more or less over 6.0 milimeters. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi clingstone, more or less adherent depending on             the fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 32.0 to 34.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 25.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Obovate.         -   Base.—Oblique.         -   Apex.—         -   Shape.—The stone apex is short and pointed.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium in size, with an             obovate-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's             dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—         -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—         -   Width.—Considered small, and having a depth of approximately             1.0 millimeters at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—         -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to             RHS Greyed Orange 164 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.         -   Kernel.—         -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 16.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 10.0 to 11.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel is smooth, without             pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is light orange-brown colored (RHS             Greyed Orange N 167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the             kernel, is white (RHS White 155 B) and has a sweet tasting.             The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘PBRO16168’ is considered to be a             white peach tree of the medium to late season of maturity,             and which produces fruits that are considered firm to very             firm, attractively colored with a luminous red to purple             red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for             uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full             maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to             their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             white peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or             skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and             packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping             at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by its resistance to main pests and diseases its fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around the cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of red to purple red blush on skin surface, on a luminous red background. 